Andy is after a luxurious wagon with an off-road flavour

What crossover wagon should I buy?

Andy is after a luxurious wagon with an off-road flavour

What crossover wagon should I buy?

03 Jul 2018Cameron McGavin

The dilemma

Andy loves his 2013 Holden Calais V wagon but it’s time to upgrade. The new Calais V Tourer has piqued his interest – dirt is part of his driving menu, so a jacked-up wagon has appeal – but would he be better off with a Subaru Outback?

The budget

Up to $55,000

The shortlist

There’s been plenty of talk about what Holden’s ZB Commodore isn’t but look at what it is and the news isn’t all bad. For a dirt-driving, six-pot VF wagon owner, the addition of the higher riding, all-wheel-drive Tourer sounds a lot like a good thing.

That, and the fact the ZB has its other valid attractions, means Andy isn’t on planet nine lining it up as his next car.

Whether it’s better than the Outback isn’t so easy to say. Ultimately, the ideal contender would combine aspects of both, so further investigation here is warranted.

There is another possibility worth considering, too, though it does demand a key sacrifice.

Holden Calais V Tourer, from $53,990

The VF wagon was a good thing but the new ZB advances the cause in significant ways.

The new Tourer obviously widens its driving potential but it’s a better equipped car with its wireless phone charging, massaging/ventilated seats, autonomous emergency braking and other tech.

Its 235kW 3.6-litre V6 is strong and sweet, and it’s a dynamic, surefooted drive. It’s roomy in the back and its big 793-litre boot means it’s still practical.

But the Holden’s V6 has to be worked to deliver its best, so often drinks more than its 9.1L/100km rating suggests. It cabin is nicely crafted but dark and dour.

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While generally comfortable and refined, it doesn’t iron out rough stuff with the indifference of its predecessor, nor is it as happy seating three in the back. A space-saver spare isn’t ideal given the off-road focus.

This Subaru misses out on the Holden’s most glitzy toys and has a smaller boot (512 litres). Its 191kW 3.6-litre petrol six is less responsive and thirstier (9.9L/100km), and it’s softer, less sure of itself on the tarmac.

Subaru’s fixed-price servicing deal has a shorter life (three years/75,000km versus five years/75,000km) and intervals (six-monthly/15,000km versus yearly/15,000km), and is harder on the wallet.

But it also has a price advantage over its foe, ticks the same key safety-tech boxes and has plenty of upmarket kit.

Its cabin is step ahead for quality and user-friendliness, and comparably spacious. Higher and plusher riding, it’s easier on the senses and more capable when the tarmac runs out. It also has a full-size spare.

This Volkswagen offers an off-road bent like its rivals here while looking, feeling and driving pretty much just like a Passat wagon (i.e. classy). With its ample space, big boot (639 litres) and full-size spare, it has no functional vices.

It has its fair share of upmarket toys and Volkswagen’s fixed-price servicing regime has this group’s best coverage (six years/90,000km), competitive intervals (yearly/15,000km) and middle-man costs.

But the Alltrack can’t match the Tourer’s sheer array of trinkets, and closing the gap with options or the $54,990 Wolfsburg Edition will test the budget. The suspension’s vaguely sporting bias means sharper bumps can intrude and the double-clutch DSG gearbox can stumble in stop/start driving.

And the big but – Andy will need to ditch a petrol six for a less spirited diesel, though it compensates with petrol-slaying thrift (5.4L/100km) and this group’s most effortless low-rev response.

The Alltrack’s diesel engine is the big question mark here. But if Andy can get over that – and there are rewards for doing so – it has the competence and class to potentially edge ahead of its rivals.

Splitting the Tourer and Outback could come down to something as simple as wanting the most toys, cheaper servicing or most fulfilling drive, all areas that hand the advantage to the former.

However, while the Holden goes a long way to being the better car, the Subaru’s cushy ride, off-road nous and full-size spare make it the superior off-road wagon. And if you’ve arrived at a place where this kind of car seems to be the most the logical choice, these kinds of assets start to look like decisive factors.